AQL - Abstract Query Language Extension

AQL is a PHP extension that automatically transforms SQL strings into structured data at compile-time using AST hooks.

Features

• Zero Runtime Overhead: SQL parsing happens at compile-time (once per file)
• Automatic Detection: Detects SQL queries by keywords (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, etc.)
• Heredoc Support: Works with both heredoc and nowdoc syntax
• String Prefix Detection: Automatically detects SQL in regular strings

How It Works

1. String Prefix Detection

<?php
// Regular string with SQL - automatically detected
$query = "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = ?";

// After AQL processing, $query becomes:
// [
//   '__aql_query' => true,
//   'sql' => "SELECT * FROM users WHERE id = ?"
// ]

2. Heredoc Support

<?php
$query = <<<SQL
SELECT u.name, u.email
FROM users u
WHERE u.active = true
SQL;

// Also transformed into an array

Installation

From PHP Source

cd /path/to/php-src/ext/aql
phpize
./configure
make
make install

Enable Extension

Add to php.ini:

extension=aql.so
aql.enabled=1

Configuration

• aql.enabled - Enable/disable AQL processing (default: 1)

Development Roadmap

Phase 1: Basic Infrastructure ✅

• AST hook integration
• String detection by SQL keywords
• Basic array generation

Phase 2: SQL Parser

• Implement full SQL parser
• Generate structured AST for SQL
• Support for:
  • SELECT statements
  • INSERT statements
  • UPDATE statements
  • DELETE statements
  • JOIN operations
  • WHERE conditions
  • ORDER BY, GROUP BY, LIMIT

Phase 3: Advanced Features

• Parameter binding detection
• Query optimization hints
• Custom DSL extensions
• IDE integration support

Example Output

<?php
$query = "SELECT id, name FROM users WHERE active = 1";

// After AQL transformation:
var_dump($query);
/*
array(2) {
  ["__aql_query"]=>
  bool(true)
  ["sql"]=>
  string(42) "SELECT id, name FROM users WHERE active = 1"
}
*/

Technical Details

AST Hook

AQL uses zend_ast_process hook to intercept the Abstract Syntax Tree after parsing but before compilation. This allows:

1. Compile-time processing - no runtime overhead
2. Full AST manipulation - can replace any node
3. Opcache compatible - transformed code is cached

Detection Algorithm

bool aql_is_sql_string(zend_string *str) {
    // Skip leading whitespace
    // Check first 4-6 characters for SQL keywords:
    // SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE, ALTER, DROP
}

License

PHP License 3.01

Author

Built for TrueAsync PHP project